Vacuum control system

ABSTRACT

An improved quick acting vacuum control system is described which provides for the rapid application and release of a vacuum force to a vacuum tool or lifter or other device. A two-way valve is coupled between an air pump and a vacuum device which one valve position coupling the air pump input directly to the vacuum device with the pump output vented to the atmosphere. In the other valve position, the air pump connections are reversed with the pressure outlet being coupled directly to the tool while the pump input is coupled to the atmosphere. The arrangement provides for one filter or muffler serving two air lines.

United States Patent 1191 Warren Feb. 11, 1975 [54] VACUUM CONTROL SYSTEM 3,716,147 2/1973 Pipes 294/65 X [76] Inventor: William H. Warren, 40 Prospect St.,

North Brookfield, Mass. 01535 U'W Examv}er Rlchard schacher Asststant ExammerJohnny D. Cherry [22] Filed: Apr. 12, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Holland, Armstrong, Wilkie 21 Appl. No.: 350,325 Prev [57] ABSTRACT [22] ..B26964/6J0l; An improved quick acting vacuum control system is n c described which id f the rapid application and [58] Field of Search 294/64 R, 65; 137/596,

137/625 2 625 65 625 69 625 48 2549 release of a vacuum force to a vacuum tool or llfter or 4 214/1 8 5 other device. A two-way valve is coupled between an air pump and a vacuum device which one valve position coupling the air pump input directly to the vac- [56] References cued uum device with the pump output vented to the atmo- UNITED STATES PATENTS sphere. In the other valve position, the air pump con- 2,783,018 2/1957 Lytle 294/64 R X nections are reversed with the pressure outlet being 3 1 957 Pfj ste 294/64 R X coupled directly to the tool while the pump input is $1 I coupled to the atmosphere. The arrangement provides mg ey 3,620,126 11/1971 Fuhrimann.. lav/625.69 x for one filter or muffler Servmg two lmes' 3,680,593 8/1972 Sorenson l37/625.48 7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU H975 3.865.420

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a number of tools or other devices including vacuum lifters which require a rapid switching action between the vacuum or lift position and the cut-off or vacuum release position. A variety of pump, valve, and conduit systems have been used for this operation. In these prior systems, the cut-off or release of the vacuum has been done by a relatively complicated switching means often using a supplemental pressure source or a number of connected valves in attempting to obtain a rapid switching action.

The system of the present invention provides for a direct interchange of vacuum and pressure forces using a single air pump and a single two-position control valve.

With this arrangement a vacuum device, such as a vacuum lifter for example, is provided with a rapid acting and simplified control system switching the lifter from a pick-up position to a release position. The device has been used with particularly advantageous results in egg lifters or egg transfer devices. Egg lifters utilizing vacuum lifting sources are used in considerable numbers in egg handling or processing operations. These devices pick up a dozen or more eggs simultaneously at one position and transfer them to a second position. For such an operation, a high-speed positive lifting action is required such as is obtained with a vacuum lifting force. At the same time, it is necessary to provide for a substantially instantaneous control or cutoff means for applying or releasing the vacuum force to provide for a rapid, positive, and gentle transfer action.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved vacuum control system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum control with rapid vacuum application and cut-off action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified one-valve vacuum control system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved vacuum lift device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved vacuum egg lifter or transfer device.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The improved vacuum control system of the invention will be described for use with a vacuum operated egg lifter or egg transfer device. It is clear that the improved control system is useful for a variety of othe systems employing vacuum forces.

A preferred embodiment of the system has an air blower or pump 1 with, an air inlet 2 and an air outlet 3. The inlet 2 and the outlet 3 are coupled to spaced ports 4 and 5 on a five port two-way valve 6. The valve 6 has a two-position stem 7 which in a first or left-hand position couples the pump outlet 3 through port 5 to a valveport 8 while simultaneously coupling the pump inlet 2 through port 4 to a spaced port 9. The port 9 is coupled by a conduit 10 to the vacuum utilizing device which in the illustrated system is an egg pick-up head 11. The port 8 is coupled by a conduit 12 to the atmosphere through a combined muffler and filter element 13. With the air pump operating and with the valve 6 in its first or left-hand position, it is seen that vacuum forces are created at the spaced egg supporting cups 14 on the lifting head 11 as air is drawn through the cups l4 and the conduit 10 and the valve ports 9 and 4. The pump air output is discharged to the atmosphere through the valve ports 5 and 8 and the conduit 12. In this valve position, the above arrangement provides for a substantial vacuum at each of a number of egg cups 14 since substantially the entire air pump capacity is acting directly through the head 11 and since the pump air output is being discharged through the conduit 12 to the atmosphere. A vacuum release valve 15 is pro- -vided on the conduit 10 to limit the vacuum forces when the cups 14 of the lift are fully occupied with eggs l6 and a pressure relief valve 17 is coupled to the air pump outlet 3. Preferably, an additional filter 18 is included in the conduit 10 to protect the system against the entry of objects through the lifting head 11 and the conduit 10.

The above-described vacuum forces are instantaneously released by switching the control valve 6 to its second or right-hand position shown by dotted arrows in FIG. 2. The valve stem 7 is moved to this position by cutting off the energy in the control solenoid l9 causing the spring 20 to move the stem 7 to the right-hand position. A control switch 21 for the solenoid 19 may be mounted as illustrated in FIG. 1 at a convenient position on the lift head 11. In this position, the air pump 1 connections are reversed so that air is drawn through the filter and muffler l3 and through conduit 22 and valve ports 23 and 4 to the pump l'inlet. The pump outlet 3 is simultaneously coupled to the lift head 11 through valve ports 5 and 9 and through the conduit 10. This provides for an instantaneous reversal of the air movement as regards the conduit 10 and in particular instantaneously reverses the air forces at the lift head 11 from an air intake or vacuum producing direction to a vacuum release or pressure position.

It will be seen that the above-described vacuum control system provides a simple effective vacuum control of particular value for vacuum tools including vacuum lifts or similar devices. The system provides for a substantially instantaneous and precisely controlled shift between the vacuum lift and vacuum cut-off or pressure positions. This control makes the system particularly useful in both hand or automated vacuum tool operations, particularly where fragile or delicate articles are being handled as, for example, in egg lifters or transfer devices.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention; I claim: 1. An improved vacuum control system comprising the combination of:

an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; a valve having means for coupling the pump inlet to a first conduit and the pump outlet to a second conduit in a first valve position and for coupling the pump outlet to said first conduit and the pump inlet to a third conduit in the second valve position;

said first conduit being coupled to a vacuum tool outwardly of said valve; and

means at said tool for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.

2. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 1 in which said valve comprises a two inlet port, three outlet port valve with an electrically energized drive solenoid coupled to a valve stem.

3. An improved vacuum control system comprising the combination of:

an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet;

a valve having means for coupling the pump inlet to a first conduit and the pump outlet to a second conduit in a first valve position and for coupling the pump outlet to said first conduit and the pump inlet to a third conduit in the second valve position;

an air filter in said first named conduit;

a vacuum relief valve in said first conduit; and

a pressure relief valve coupled to said air pump outlet.

4. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said second and third conduits are coupled together beyond said valve ports and to air filter and muffler means.

5. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said first conduit is coupled to a vacuum tool outwardly of said valve, and in which there is means on said tool for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.

6. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said first conduit is coupled to a vacuum egg lifter outwardly of said valve and in which there is means on said lifter for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.

7. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said valve comprises a two inlet port, three outlet port valve with an electrically energized solenoid actuating a valve stem. 

1. An improved vacuum control system comprising the combination of: an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; a valve having means for coupling the pump inlet to a first conduit and the pump outlet to a second conduit in a first valve position and for coupling the pump outlet to said first conduit and the pump inlet to a third conduit in the second valve position; said first conduit being coupled to a vacuum tool outwardly of said valve; and means at said tool for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.
 2. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 1 in which said valve comprises a two inlet port, three outlet port valve with an electrically energized drive solenoid coupled to a valve stem.
 3. An improved vacuum control system comprising the combination of: an air pump having an air inlet and an air outlet; a valve having means for coupling the pump inlet to a first conduit and the pump outlet to a second conduit in a first valve position and for coupling the pump outlet to said first conduit and the pump inlet to a third conduit in the second valve position; an air filter in said first named conduit; a vacuum relief valve in said first conduit; and a pressure relief valve coupled to said air pump outlet.
 4. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said second and third conduits are coupled together beyond said valve ports and to air filter and muffler means.
 5. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said first conduit is coupled to a vacuum tool outwardly of said valve, and in which there is means on said tool for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.
 6. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said first conduit is coupled to a vacuum egg lifter outwardly of said valve and in which there is means on said lifter for controlling the operation of the valve between its first and second positions.
 7. The vacuum control system as claimed in claim 3 in which said valve comprises a two inlet port, three outlet port valve with an electrically energized solenoid actuating a valve stem. 